Cowell ex: 'Idol' attack was sudden, scary

Rex Features

Simon Cowell's ex-girlfriend Terri Seymour has spoken out about being attacked at a taping of American Idol.

The British TV presenter had been covering the Idol finale on Tuesday night for Extra when she was approached by a woman who attempted to choke her.

Speaking to the programme, she said: "It was all so sudden... very scary. Nothing like this has ever happened to me before.

"She came over to me and said, 'You're that girl from TV, right?' And I said, 'Yeah'...The next thing I know, this woman had me in a headlock and tried to choke me."

Seymour, who was with an Extra producer, an assistant and a friend, added that she was thankful for the heavy security at the event, explaining: "The police were fantastic. They were close by and managed to catch her."

The 33-year-old suspect was arrested and booked on a felony battery charge. She is currently being held on $52,000 bail.